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I’ve been asked this question hundreds of times by Quorans. This type of question is far too vague and rarely answered correctly. And even then, is it really useful information? 85% of all American and Canadian motorists do not keep emergency road side assistance items in their vehicles anymore. There’s no smartphone App that can prevent you from freezing or overheating when your stuck on the side of the road. Those that rely upon roadside assistance are taking unwarranted risks should something go moderately wrong. Fire departments and ambulances cannot show up in a few minutes when you’re hundreds of miles away from the nearest town and involved in a 10 car pile up. Medevac flights still require a minimum of 45 minutes in most regions of the world or may not be available at all. This is especially true for highways located in mountains of California, British Columbia and the Appalachians in New York.So with that, I’ve decided to cave in and answer it the question in some detail. I’m a car enthusiast and public safety instructor that allows me to blend two disciplines of knowledge. If I am going to write something, I might as well do it once rather than get another 500 requests with slight variance on the question. It’s not the perfect answer and it does not cover every possible contingency or scenario.disclaimer: This answer is NOT based on any certification or regulatory requirements by any country’s State or Federal approvals concerning first aid, car safety, medical procedures or medical supplies. Any product models shown are not an endorsement of these products and used only for illustrative purposes. I also declare that I am not an medical specialist, automotive engineer or government certified public safety official with specific endorsements. The following information is for educational purposes only. All images copyright (c) by yours truly.I’m not a lawyer either. Sorry about that…The Victorinox series Swiss Army knife is the only thing you need in your glovebox. There, end of answer. Finito ! It’s not even a cheap imitation, but the real thing made in Switzerland. This model cost $185.00 - and I’d never rely upon it - ever. It’s superbly made, yet entirely impractical in the real world. And no, it’s not in my car’s glove box…. more on that later.Today’s cars have glove boxes are often useless for use to store items except your owners manual and insurance papers. Others have Titanic size center consoles. These caverns can be filled with enough junk to survive for 48 hours in a snowstorm.This isn’t going to do it either. Might stop minor bleeding from a superficial cut or wound, it barely has the right products to disinfect an minor exposed injury. For roadside use, I’ve replaced just about every item that was included in this kit’s original form. See below for more information. The supplies are changed out every two years and donated to the local Red Cross, St. John’s unit or Salvation Army facility.Honestly, there’s no proper answer to this question because each kind of emergency that could occur is different. I would pack very differently for a long trip through Arizona and New Mexico’s desert highways than I would in the middle of the worse snowstorm roaring through the mid-west. One small example, pack a sleeping bag for each occupant in the vehicle.If you are attempting to prepare, common sense rules the day and the glovebox has absolutely nothing to do with what you should take with you on a trip across the city or across 3 states.Here’s the process works when I think of roadtrip preparedness;Condition of vehicle (mileage, health of mechanical components, maintenance completed or overdue). A vehicle with 200,000 miles on it and rarely serviced is just asking for trouble. And the driver knows it. A brand new car is not invulnerable to breakdown, but it does influence preparedness decisions. Age of a car doesn’t matter if you’ve been involved in a collision in the middle of winter.Trip requirements (city, highway for short and long distances)Planned route and time of day (minor or major road, congestion, etc)How many passengers and any special needs or concernsWeather conditions (dawn,day, dusk, night)Knowing the answers to these questions helps determine what gaps or improper equipment is stored in case of emergency.Asking yourself what you would need in case of an emergency (ICE) is an important planning task. Taking drinking water during a heatwave across New Mexico is a wise extra to have and something you should not leave it in the car for extended periods. Extra blankets during the winter or believe it or not, light blankets for overnight trips across the desert are useful should you breakdown.This synthetic poly blanket can help main your body heat if you are stranded by side the road in a severe winter storm. Even so, it will not prevent prolonged sub zero temperatures that allowing hypothermia to set in. Very useful size for the elderly or those with low blood pressure and easily feel the cold.The little things that can commonly be long term stored in a car are available in kits and in general terms, useful regardless of weather, season or road conditions. They generally include items that are not capable of being fit into most gloveboxes. They should include;Basic, but high quality First Aid kit that is serviced annually. Sized for the number of occupants the vehicle can carry.Battery jumper cablesThis one cubic square foot kit includes battery jumper cables that are ten feet long and are equipped with heavy gauge wire to withstand severe weather. They cost 4 times as much as cheaper and often shorter cables. If you are off the side of the road, the longer the cables are, the safer it will be to jump start your vehicle that may have a battery on the opposite side of yours (right instead of left, front instead of rear, etc.). The red colored small first aid kit shown in the right side pouch is not well equipped, with nothing more than some sterilizing pads, light gauze, some band-aids and does not include a tension bandage. It would never pass as part of any certified first aid kit.FlashlightFlashlights come in all sorts of sizes and lumen per square foot lighting performance. You get what you pay for. LED models are now becoming available. In general terms the batteries may last longer and reduce static battery drain when not in use. Having one with a magnetic base can be handy if required to light up the engine bay on the side of the road at night. Change the batteries every year. You’ll regret it if do not. Murphy’s law will strike.Matches and butane cigar lighterWorth their weight in gold, the matches are waterproof.Scissors / Box Cutters1 quart (liter) of oil for engine and 1 pint (350 ml) of power steering fluid and 1 gallon (4 L) of windshield washer fluid.Nylon reinforced Tow strap 20′ long and rated for 10 tonnes.Reflective Road side TriangleThe reflective triangle warns approaching cars and trucks that you maybe blocking the road. Use on the highway, make sure you place it at least 200′ behind where you have broken down. This kit includes a collapsible shovel.Heat blanket (can also be used to reflect heat) and head gear during winter. (60 to 70% of your body heat loss, occurs from your head and upper neck) Your groin area is the second most vulnerable to heat loss followed by your underarms and chest.I then add the following itemsSpare batteries (checked for expiry date and replaced anyway with fresh ones every year). Do not use rechargable batteries as they do not hold a static charge for more than a month or two.The large battery pack is capable of charging your cell phone at least twice before it is drained. Course, it’s only good if you keep it charged and in your car. Based on research I have done, almost nobody carries one in the car that is ready to go. This particular one stores 6,000 mAh of power. They must be maintained and hooked up to a charging unit daily for maximum life.Aspirin and Tylenol (some people have reactions to one or the other)Small tool set applicable to my type of car (Imperial or Metric)You do not need to bring a master mechanics tool set worth tens of thousands of dollars with you. But a small compact and easy to store basic toolset is a great safety item to have with you - even if you’re not mechanically inclined. Someone that stops to help you might be…Other items you could include;Plastic backed mirror & large magnifying glassSpare clean rags (2) or clothes. (no, not tissue paper…though you can have those as additional supplies)Hand cranked self powering radioThis is an AM - FM radio, battery and charger for that generates power by you turning a hand crank on the back side. You’ll get a workout! 10 minutes of cranking will allow the built in radio to operate for about 20 minutes. This particular model is an older model that cannot connect to USB enabled devices and is discontinued.Snacks that are rotated monthlyI’m often asked, should you buy a kit or can you make your own. If you are comfortable in your understanding of First Aid and Safety items, by all means, make your own kit or thoroughly research which ones are available on the market. Quality is a critical consideration when it comes to potentially saving your life or helping others in need.You get what you pay is absolutely true when buying roadside assistance kits or those that come with some new model cars. I’ve seen hundreds of kits and come up with my own requirements depending on where and and when I’m going to travel on highways or off-road. Some of my options are for extreme and not required for many motorists.When I deploy as a volunteer search and rescue member in the backwoods, I bring with me a kit that is easy to wear and has most of the items required to make sure I am self sufficient in case I too become lost or disoriented. I carry enough supplies to assist anyone with minor injuries. Even with Level 3 Industrial First Aid training, the type of supplies I carry are not sufficient to handle all scenarios. Like a glove box, there are always going to be limitations. One of the pouches on this vest is where my Swiss Army knife is stored. It’s been used once during a deployment to Haiti to cut 1″ thick nylon rope.The water and energy bars must be regularly inspected and replaced. The water packs are certified for 5 years and the energy bars for 2 years. I’ve included in my kit, protective eye glasses (upper left), glow sticks (center), light duty air mask (middle left), up to 5 plastic panchos, and blankets, two sets of work gloves and some small tools. The entire kit fits over your protective clothing and weighs 15 lbs fully loaded. It also has belt space for radios (if equipped), flashlight, walking stick, shovel, etc. If I’m heading out to the desert, this is the kit I’ll bring with me. If I’m heading out to the backwoods in winter, the gear is changed out for and / or reduced as required. For example, more matches and instant fire kindling is brought with a collapsible water proof pot and stove to make water instead of bringing it with me (since it will freeze anyway).During the summer, I’ll throw this kit in the back of my car and leave it there, out of the sunlight on the floor. This kit has been used three times since 2006 to give aid during an road side accident. I’ve worn it about 40 times during volunteer searches for lost pets and people and only had to dispense water on two occasions. Medical supplies are rotated out every two years weather I like it or not to make sure my kit is up to date and ensure all items that may be subject to a recall notice are removed.By law in most countries, the use of your mobile phone to call the police is free of charge - even if your phone is not currently connected to a mobile provider. If there is signal showing on your phone, calling for assistance maybe possible (i.e. 911, 999, etc.) - assuming your phone is has sufficient battery power.It should be noted that many of these items would be absolutely useless to a motorist if they do not know how to used them. I strongly recommend everyone to take a basic first aid course that are available from your local Red Cross or St. John’s organization.It is also a good idea to take a basic road safety course in your area that are often available from your local National Auto Club Association office. I also strongly recommend everyone learn and practice how to safely replace a tire in an emergency if a spare tire is included with your car. The course will help the motorist learn when to proceed and not replace a tire on the side of the road and what weather conditions should be avoided. Just because you belong to a road side assistance club, doesn’t mean help may be available immediately.If your commute is in a big city with no serious threats from natural disasters and you never head out on the highway, the need for even a flashlight is going to be remote. Most motorists simply call a tow truck and off they go in a few hours to get their broken down vehicle repaired. Yet, we have seen drivers and passengers in big cities suddenly get hit with a massive snow storm and die from being stuck in their cars and freeze to death. They keep running their engine’s heater until they run out of fuel and then die. A charged mobile phone and sleeping bag would have saved their lives.One of the worse winter pile ups in history involved over 150 vehicles on I-94 in Michigan in January of 2015. Stunningly, only one person died, a truck driver from Quebec. Emergency crews were already on their way when vehicles continued to pile into each other. They were very lucky.In 2013 on Highway 41/43 near Germantown, Wisconsin, one of the most bizarre slow reaction chain of events unfolded with no fatalities but lots of minor injuries. Imagine if this accident occurred hundreds of miles away from a large city.Be safe and happy motoring!

What will happen to the US if the Mississippi River dries up?Jordan Clarke-Bonhomme gave me quite a question. It almost seems like this answer is as long as the river. Thank you Jordan for the question. I learned a lot answering it.I doubt will will ever see the Mississippi River dry up unless we see a few years of drought all over the country because the river is supplied with waters from some 250 tributaries of the Mississippi which drain a total area of more than 1,247,000 square miles–one third of the nation’s landmass–extending from the Allegheny Mountains in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west.The Mississippi River, from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota, to the Gulf of Mexico, is approximately 2,348 miles long. The combined reach of the Missouri-Mississippi Rivers is 3,741 miles–a length exceeded only by the Amazon and Nile rivers. The Mississippi River has shortened by several hundred miles since the days of Mark Twain. Even today it varies 30-50 miles each year.The major tributaries are:The Missouri River is considered to be the longest stream of river in the US is the Missouri River which begins at Three Forks, Montana (elevation 4,032 feet) and flows 2,714 miles to near St. Louis, Missouri. Many people consider the Missouri to be the main reach of the Mississippi River!The Arkansas River forms in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and meanders 1,450 miles through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. It is the main water source for the state of Arkansas.The Ohio River is the second major tributary of the Mississippi. It is formed in Pittsburgh by the junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela River and travels about 980 miles to Cairo, Illinois, and the Mississippi River. Interestingly, today’s Ohio River Basin is approximately the northern extremity of the ancient shallow sea that is represented today by the Gulf of Mexico! Consider that nearly 1/3 of the nation’s water drains past the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers at Fort Defiance in Cairo, Illinois.The Illinois River cuts through steep rocky bluffs, runs approximately 273 miles (439 km), with some 60 miles of scenic water. It flows through the heart of the State of Illinois,Illinois River Ribbon Map and links the great rivers of the American West with the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and finally the Atlantic Ocean.Historically, the Illinois River has had a significant impact on the state’s economy, communities, and peoples. Long before Europeans discovered America, indigenous tribes inhabited the Illinois River Valley and settled on the riverbanks, creating a river culture of their own. In 1673, Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet surveyed the region, canoeing up to the Illinois River via the Mississippi River, hoping to find a route linking the Great Lakes to the Illinois River and the Gulf of Mexico. Today, the Illinois and Michigan Canals are the evidence that their vision became reality.The promise of free land in the 1870s led many to migrate and subsequently settled on the banks of the Illinois River as homesteaders. Cultures, families, and livelihoods were created on the riverbanks shaping the river culture of the region. The Illinois River and its lakes shaped the early industries of the state, making it one of the world’s largest freshwater fisheries. However, as the 19th century progressed, the Illinois River was hit with industrial pollution, silt from farm lands, and human waste. Ultimately, federal and state intervention restored the dying Illinois River.Today, stretches of mild rapids make for great float trip experiences on the river as one paddles by bluffs, gravel bars, and lush forests. Fishing for small mouth and large mouth bass, walleye, and channel and flat head catfish on the Illinois River makes it an exciting destination. Bird watching for bald eagles also makes this waterway a treasure.Drainage Map of the Mississippi River and its Tributaries. Some Facts and FiguresRed River is the 10th longest river in the United States with a length of 1,290 miles.[9] It originates right outside of the Rocky Mountains and stretches through multiple states with the main portion of it located in Texas. The river also crosses through Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana where then it links into the Mississippi River.[14] The Red River is mostly surrounded by rural farm land with the only surrounding major cities being Shreveport, Louisiana and Alexandria, Louisiana. The Red River is home to many oil fields with oil and gas production being one of the river's major aspects.Length of TributariesRiver Length1. Upper Mississippi River 1,250 miles2. Arkansas River 1,469 miles3. Illinois River 273 miles4. Missouri River 2,522 miles5. Ohio River 981 miles6. Red River 1,290 miles-------------------------------------------------------------------------What Happens If the Mississippi Runs Dry? PUBLISHED ON 12/13/2012The Mississippi River soon may be too shallow for barge shipping, which could hurt international trade and cause increases in domestic energy and food costs. Switching to other shipping methods could increase pollution.However, there may be a bright side: Drought and reduced traffic on the desiccated rivers may benefit wildlife in the long run.Last Friday, the Army Corps of Engineers began reducing the flow of water into the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota because of the continuing drought in the central United States. The Missouri is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, which means reduced flow in the Missouri results in a further drop in water levels on the Mississippi.https://www.seeker.com/earth/mississippi-floods-slideshow-110520.htmlTrade in some of the most important commodities in America, such as coal and grain, stand to suffer from the stoppage of transport on America's main aquatic artery."For the coal that travels on the Mississippi, there could be impacts and delays in getting it to consumers in a timely way," Debra Colbert, senior vice president of Waterways Council, Inc., told Discovery News. "It will cost more to ship it by rail and or truck and consumers will pay more for heating and electricity as a result."The exact effect on prices is impossible to estimate at this point, Colbert said.Delays would affect 3.8 million tons of coal, according to the shipping organization's press release. Five million barrels of crude oil would be delayed, which may necessitate the import of $545 million worth of foreign crude. All together, $7 billion in commodities may be delayed.Delays and cost increases in American grain shipments could affect the global food supply."River barge shipping is all geared to moving bulk grain exports for (livestock) feed uses overseas," said Bruce Abbe, executive director of the Midwest Shippers Association. " A huge share of the global market is served by American agriculture. Barge or water shipping is considered the most cost- efficient means for moving large quantities of bulk grains."If the drought continues more into next year, a larger percentage might go to the Pacific Northwest export terminals by rail," said Abbe. "Rail also can and does carry grain from the Midwest down to the Gulf."Switching to rail and truck transport will affect American farmers' incomes and global consumer prices, Abbe noted."Cost will go up overall, for export customers and for suppliers here," said Abbe.https://www.seeker.com/earth/how-low-can-you-go-mississippi-120718.htmlAlong with increased costs, increased shipping via rail and truck also results in more pollution. Research by the U.S. Maritime Administration and the National Waterways Foundation calculated that:- Inland waterway barge towing produces 19.27 tons of greenhouse gases per million tons of freight moved one mile, a unit known as a ton-mile.- Container trucks produce 71.61 tons of greenhouse gases per million ton-miles.- Rail transports produces 26.88 tons of greenhouse gases per million ton-miles.On the other hand, the drought on the Mississippi might not be entirely negative for the environment.Shipping causes localized disturbance to the Mississippi river's ecosystem as the barges and tugboats churn the water with their wakes and propellers, which can be six feet in diameter, according to Jon Duyvejonck, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.During normal river levels, the turbulent waters and waves produced by ships can uproots plants in the loose, mucky soil of the river banks. A drought benefits the river by giving sediments on the river banks a chance to settle and form denser soil. After a drought, plants can become more resistant to the disturbance caused by boats. Duyvejonck noted that after a drought, a burst of plant growth in the solidified soil often proves to be a boon for wildlife.Winter is a particularly beneficial time to reduce river traffic, Duyvejonck said.Where Does All That Food Come From?"In winter, cold-blooded fish seek to reduce energy expenditure by resting in still waters," said Duyvejonck. "When ships pass, the fish must fight the erratic currents. Hence, a slowdown in traffic during December could help fish save energy and possibly result in an improvement in overwinter survival."One ecological danger from ship traffic in low water is to mussels, which can't move out of the way of ships traveling through low waters. However, the ships themselves are not the biggest environmental problem caused by keeping the rivers open to transport during a drought. Duyvejonck said that finding a place to put the sand and silt dredged from the river's main channels can be the biggest environmental headache.The Army Corps of Engineers began dredging ahead of schedule this year to battle the drought conditions, but were prepared for the low water this year by the flood last year, according to Mike Petersen, public affairs chief for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' St. Louis District."During the flood, Congress approved funds for river maintenance, so we had already done a significant amount of work dredging channels," said Petersen. "This year we have only needed two dredging ships working on the river, compared to the eight we had working during the drought of 1988 and '89."Further plans for this year include blasting a group of rocks in southern Illinois that make the river especially treacherous in low water. The environmental effects of the blasting have already been assessed and the work approved in an earlier study of the region, said Petersen."One aspect to having a flood one year and a drought the next is that it keeps the Mississippi in the news and in the public's mind," said Petersen. "People tend to take the river for granted until there is a problem."What Happens If the Mississippi Runs Dry?Bonnet Carre Spillway finally closing months after historic 2nd opening in same yearWith water levels in the Mississippi River finally starting to fall after a historic year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began closing bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway on Monday.The action marked the beginning of the end for a historic high-water year on the river, which has been fed by heavy rains throughout its vast basin and involved the Corps in a record-long flood fight that started last fall.The spillway, which before this year had been used only 12 times in its more than 80-year history, as of Monday had been open for a total of 118 days over the course of two separate openings in 2019.It was unprecedented for the Corps to have to open the spillway twice in a year, and on Tuesday the second opening will tie the 75-day record for the longest continuous time the structure has been in use.The spillway had 168 bays open Monday morning, a little less than half of its total number. Crews were expected to close about 10 bays on Monday and wrap up the rest of the closure in about a week, Corps spokesman Matt Roe said.The spillway is used to keep the Mississippi below 17 feet above sea level at the Carrollton gauge in New Orleans, a height about 3 feet below the top of the river levees in the area.The river is currently at 15.53 feet. Below 15.5 feet, the water isn't high enough to make it through the spillway and into Lake Pontchartrain. The river is expected to fall below 15 feet in about a week, low enough that the Corps can scale back its now-daily inspections of the levees, Roe said.While the river is no longer high enough to require the use of the Bonnet Carre, the Mississippi will remain unusually high as the peak of hurricane season approaches in mid-August. That has raised questions about what could happen if a strong storm sends a surge up an already swollen river.The Corps said it will continue to operate in "flood fight" mode until the Mississippi goes below 11 feet, a level that is still not shown on current forecasts. That means regular inspections of the levees and restrictions on construction near them will continue, Roe said.This year has been historic for the river and spillway in more ways than one. In addition to the record length of time it has been in use this year, this is also the first time the spillway has had to be reopened in the same year due to rising waters. This also marks the first time it has been used in back-to-back years.The river has been above 15 feet in New Orleans for 160 days this year. That's the longest it's been at that height in a single year since before the Bonnet Carre was finished in 1937, even though the year is only half over.The length of the opening has raised concerns about the environmental impact of so much fresh water being sent into the lake and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. It has been blamed for a large algae bloom in the lake and damage to fisheries and oyster beds.Bonnet Carre Spillway finally closing months after historic 2nd opening in same yearA2A